Monograms on Sterling Flatware...Great Idea or Huge Mistake? Welcome to the 80th Metamorphosis Monday!

The last few days my bottom has been glued to the dragonfly and floral covered slipper chair in my dressing area/office. :) I've been visiting all the wonderful tablescapes linked for TT.




I am determined to visit and leave a comment on every single one...all 117! :) I have a handy dandy list beside me with all the participants numbers and I'm skipping all around...that's the way my brain works. (LOL) It may take me two weeks, but sooner or later, if you posted a tablescape, I'll be by.

Thanks again for joining in for our 100th Tablescape Thursday! I'm looking forward to visiting each and every one of you! And thank you so much to each visitor who left a comment...I read each one and cherish your sweet thoughts. :)


Monograms on Sterling Flatware...Great Idea or Huge Mistake? Contemplating a "Before and After"

I just love monogrammed silver. I suppose I could attribute this
obsession
great affection to having been "raised" here in the south where I've read monogramming has long been a standing tradition. But actually, I've never known anyone who had monogrammed silver, or if they did I don't remember seeing it.






So, though I'm not sure why I love the look so much, I just know that I do. Are there things you are drawn to, but you aren't sure why?




Today, while viewing so many beautiful tablecapes, my mind wandered back to 1978, when as a bride-to-be my husband and I selected our sterling flatware, a Towle pattern named, King Richard.




In 1978, we found ourselves betwixt and between. We were caught in that period when folks were still registering a sterling pattern once they became engaged, but it was becoming rarer and rarer to actually receive sterling "anything" as a gift. Apparently, silver prices had really shot up while formal entertaining was becoming much less common.

By the way, who was it that decided we can only use our sterling for formal entertaining anyway? Boo, hiss on that idea. This, my friends, is not a dress rehearsal. If you have sterling flatware, get it out and use it.  Daily use will only make it more beautiful and speed up that lovely process called, patina. But I digress.




When we chose our sterling flatware, I fully planned to have it engraved with our last initial one day. Over the last 30 years, as I have gradually collected additional pieces, I've never gotten around to having it done. As I sat viewing the pics I took for the 100th TT, I found myself staring at that large, oval spot where I had long pictured an "H" monogram in beautiful script.




Now, that I'm older, and when forced to be, a bit wiser, I find I am reluctant to have it monogrammed. Why? Because...

ehow online says:
"Monogrammed silverware is worth significantly less than a set that has not been monogrammed. Patterns also affect the value, depending on their popularity."

About.com online says:
"Monograms -- Many collectors view old, elaborate monograms as a lost art form and historically important. It does not detract from the desirability or value of a piece when a monogram is present. Most pieces, however, are even more valuable without a monogram. As you become more familiar with silver, you will be able to detect monogram removal. Monogram removal can damage a piece of silver and significantly reduce its value."

And, an eBay Guide I found online said: "Monograms are the bane of an eBay sterling flatware collector's existence it sometimes seems. Extensive experience on eBay shows that a monogram on a piece of flatware cuts its value about in half, though there are so many sellers who learn this the hard way."

And, finally...another eBay guide said: "A monogram on sterling flatware reduces it's value by 25-35%."

See my dilemma? One part of me says, monogram it...it will be passed down to my son one day, so the monogram will still work. And, who knows, maybe he will have a son one day and it will be passed on down to him. :)

But, the practical side of me says, No, don't do it...don't hurt the value of the flatware. Usually, my practical side wins out, so I will most likely not monogram it. I am guessing it would be very expensive to have it monogrammed, anyway. Seems silly to pay someone money to reduce the value of an object, doesn't it? ~~~sigh~~~ Do you sometimes wish you weren't practical?

Guess I'll just stick to monogrammed napkin rings...




...and monogrammed linens. No regret there...just pure enjoyment! :)



So, I want to know...where do you stand on monograms? Is your flatware monogrammed? Would you have it monogrammed? Would you buy flatware with a monogram that didn't match your last name?



Metamorphosis Monday:
If you are participating in Metamorphosis Monday: Please be sure to add your permalink below, and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on your post name, then just copy and paste the address that shows up in the address bar at the top, into the "url" box for the picture linky. You'll also need to put your e-mail address in, but don't worry, it will not be visible to anyone.

I'd love it if you would include the MM button in your post, to make it easy for others to find you MM post. To do that, just copy and paste the Met Monday button to your computer or grab the html code from underneath the MM logo on my sidebar.

Please include a link in your MM post back to the host blog, Between Naps on the Porch. Why is this important? When you include a link back to BNOTP, it ensures your regular readers/visitors will find the other awesome "Before and Afters" linked for this Metamorphosis Monday. If everyone links back, this maximizes the opportunity for visits for all who participate. I don't like having to delete links, I truly don't. But it isn't fair to the other participants who do link back, if I allow some to participate and not link back, showing they do not care if their fellow participants get visits or not. I hope you understand why I will have to delete your link if you do not link back to the MM party...just trying to make it fair for all who participate and maximize visits for all who participate.

Please do not add your link below, until your MM post is actually published to your blog. Please DO NOT type in all caps...it spreads the links waaaay out. Thanks! :-)

Let's try something fun today! Please visit the person who linked before you and after you...that way everyone will get some visits. Hope you'll visit more, of course. :-)

Beautiful Monogrammed Towels... Welcome to the 22nd Metamorphosis Monday!

Playlist is posted to your immediate right...click on arrow to hear.

Before we get started on this Metamporphosis Monday, I wanted to let you know that some very sweet person has nominated Between Naps on the Porch for the 2009 Blog Luxe Awards, under the category of Best Eye Candy Blog. If you'd like to cast a vote for BNOTP, just click HERE ...then click on the category, "Best Eye Candy Blog." If you scan down part way through the list, you'll see Between Naps on the Porch among those that have been nominated. It actually says Between Naps on the Back Porch...but hey, that's close enough. :-) I'm just humbled and thrilled that someone took time to make the nomination! Oh, and the rules say you can vote once a day. I just discovered today that I had been nominated, so I've gotten a very late start letting you know. :-)

There are several other categories listed, so have fun voting for your favorite blogs :-) Oh, and Thank-You to the dear heart who nominated BNOTP. But I must say, it's actually YOU, the readers of BNOTP, who deserve all the credit for any accolades that ever come this way. It's your visits and comments that provide the real inspiration for each and every post! Ok, before I get too misty-eyed to see how to write this post, let's dive right into this week's Metamorphosis Monday...

I'm so excited to share a special metamorphosis with you this week. Imagine a pretty, little stripped, green towel going from this:


TO THIS! :-)

Now, I wish I could take credit for this wonderful "before" and "after," but this beautiful handiwork is that of Karyn's, one of the talented ladies over at The Bloom Girls Boutique. You may recognize the name because Karyn and Nola also have a wonderful blog called The Bloom Girls.

I love the attention to detail with the cute little yellow butterflies on either end of the beautiful embroidery! Karyn, thanks so much for this precious gift! :-)


When you visit The Bloom Girls Boutique, you'll also find lovely monogrammed dresses for only $42. Wow, in a speciality shop, this dress would cost twice that amount! Isn't Madison precious modeling for her Mom, Karyn. :-) I had the pleasure of meeting Madison recently and I must tell you, she is every bit as adorable in person as she looks here in her lovely monogrammed dress.

The Bloom Girls Boutique also carries beautiful home accessories and lighting...check out these great lamps!

Wire Bird Cage Lamp:
Rose Cottage Lamp:
If you'd like your own personalized towel showing the name of your Blog or monogram, just e-mail Karyn at bloomgirls@att.net to leave Karyn a message or visit her at The Bloom Girls, and leave her a little comment.

Little Announcement: In a recent poll, 627 visitors voted on the subject of music playing when visiting BNOTP. 63% indicated they do not want to have music automatically play when visiting, while 36% would like to hear music playing during their visit. In an effort to keep everyone happy, :-) the playlist isn't on an "automatic start" anymore, but it is posted at the top of the sidebar for easy access. To listen, just click on the play arrow and you're all set! :-) Hope this works for everyone!

Looking forward to seeing the changes you've been working on for this Metamorphosis Monday!

If you are participating in Metamorphosis Monday, please be sure to add your permalink below, and not your general blog address. If you aren't sure how to obtain your permalink or have any questions about using Mr. Linky for this post, just click HERE for detailed instructions.

Don't forget to copy and paste the Met Monday logo button to your computer so you can add it to your side bar and your Met Monday post. That way visitors will know that your are participating in Metamorphosis Monday.

Please be sure to link back to the host blog, Between Naps on the Porch, so your fellow bloggers who are participating today, will get lots of visits, as well.

Please do not add your link below until your Met Monday post is actually published to your blog.

The following blogs are participating in this Metamorphosis Monday:

Tablescaping with Blue Willow: Welcome to the 28th Tablescape Thursday! Tablescaping with Blue Willow

Recently I was asked where I get my inspiration for the tablescapes I put together. I've gotten this question before and truthfully, I'm not sure I have a good answer...the reason being because my inspiration comes from a different source almost every time. If you have participated in Tablescape Thursday a few times, you probably know what I'm talking about.

Sometimes it may be the china itself...perhaps it calls out for a particular theme...the way my beachy china does with its shell and starfish design. Other times, I might be inspired by something I stumble across in my home or while out shopping, that's just begging to be used in a pretty table setting.

I was shopping at good ole Wally World right after Valentine's Day and they had all their potted tulips on sale for $3 each. I don't normally buy fresh flowers because I can't bear to see them dying after spending, what's usually a fair amount of money for them. But these were only $3...even I'll go for that! Though, I was tempted to buy them in every color, I managed to restrain myself and only bought one pot. Once home, I spied a blue and white pot in my garage...perfect for sunny, yellow tulips.


As luck would have it, the tulips fit right down inside the pot...container and all. :-) They became my inspiration for this weeks tablescape...can you guess which china I chose?


Yep, you got it...easy choice...had to be the Blue Willow. :-)


This tablescape is uncomplicated and classic...with its pallet of Blue & White...


Crisp, white, linen napkins fit beautifully with the clean, fresh look of this table setting...


Bet you recognize these little birdie salt/pepper shakers...I think every Blogger in Blogland has a set of these! (LOL) I've seen them on Shelia's table (Note Songs)...ummm...let's see...who else has these? I first spied a set at Judith's, (Sweet Designs) and she was so nice to share where she found them...shhhh don't tell anyone...it was Target. You just never know where you'll find little treasures for your table. This is the first time I've gotten around to using them in a tablescape for TT. I bought these last summer, but the last time I was in Target, they still had some...so it's not too late to snag a pair. :-)


Maybe we should have a "post your Target, white, bird, salt & pepper shakers day," all across Blogland...wouldn't that just be a hoot? We could throw Mr. Linky up and visit all the sites to see all the creative ways they were being used? :-) Ok, I'm off on a tangent...where were we? Oh, yes, we were in the midst of a tablescape. (Hee, hee.)


Friday is Foodie Friday, over at (Designs by Gollum) so how about some actual food for our tablescape! We've had quite the cold spell this week, even got some snow in...of all places, GEORGIA! So, I decided it was time for some homemade soup.

I love a hardy Vegetable Beef Soup and whenever I make it, I go a little crazy...you'd think I was cooking for a family of 10! :-) I pull out the big dutch oven and throw everything in...fresh celery, carrots, onion, potatoes...some stewed tomatoes, peas, corn, little butter beans...and of course good hardy chunks of stew beef from Publix. My soups tend to be heavy on the ingredients and light on the "soup." I love a "stick to your ribs," kind of soup...would that make it more of a stew? :-)


You are having seconds, right? :-)


Ummm...a hardy soup for this cool March evening...

Hope you enjoyed this classic Blue and White table setting!


Please stop by all the links posted above on this Tablescape Thursday...I promise you will come away delighted and inspired!






If you are participating in Tablescape Thursday, please be sure to add your permalink below, and not your general blog address. If you aren't sure how to obtain your permalink or have any questions about using Mr. Linky for this post, just click on the pink TT logo in my sidebar for detailed instructions.

Please copy and paste the Tablescape Thursday logo button to your computer. Then you can upload it to your side bar and use it in your tablescape post so your visitors will know you are participating.

Please link back to the host blog, Between Naps on the Porch. This is important because it helps those who are visiting your blog, find the other wonderful tablescapes posted on this Tablescape Thursday.

Please do not add your link below, until your tablescape post is actually published to your blog.

The following blogs have beautiful tablescapes awaiting your visit:

Welcome to Three or More Tuesday!

Yea! I'm so excited to participate in Three or More Tuesday, sponsored by Tam, a wonderfully talented blogger. If you've never visited her blog, The Gypsy's Corner, then you are in for a wonderful treat! Just click HERE to view some great Three or More post.

I'm not sure why, but I love anything that's monogrammed. A few weeks ago, I went online to check the pricing on embroidery/monogramming machines...thought it would be fun to monogram some of my existing linens. Wow, don't think I'll be ordering one of those gadgets. The prices were very expensive...even on good ole e-Bay. ~SIGH~

Today, for Three or More Thursday, I'm sharing four items I often use that are monogrammed. This soft pink stationary was purchased from Neiman Marcus a while back, primarily to use for Thank-You notes. I'm getting close to running out of it...time to start shopping for some more.


I love crisp, white linen napkins. These are also, from Neiman Marcus and are sold in sets of 12. NM frequently offers free shipping AND free monogramming on their napkins.



Cocktail napkins...again from NM. These were so reasonably priced, I bought 4 dozen for use at parties.



And finally, hand towels for my guest bath...you guessed it...from Neiman Marcus. I have these monogrammed in a variety of colors. I like to use the red ones in my guest bath at Christmas time and the more neutral ones throughout the year. I don't think I've ever paid for monogramming or shipping. If you are patient, NM has some good sales on their linens throughout the year, frequently with "free monogramming and free shipping." I often give their monogrammed towels as gifts because they always seem to run a great sale just before the holiday season.



Thanks again for stopping by and don't forget to visit Tam at The Gypsy's Corner for links to lots more Three or More posts.